Sidhu was acquitted in connection with the culpable homicide charges but was convicted of the offence of voluntarily causing hurt in an order given by apex court on May, 15.

A two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Jasti Chelameswar, and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, in its judgment, also slapped a fine of Rs 1,000 on Sidhu. The court, also acquitted Sidhu's associate, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, in the case.

The Sessions Court Judge of Patiala had on September 22, 1999, acquitted Sidhu and his associate, , due to lack of evidence in the case and giving the benefit of the doubt.

It was then challenged by the victim's families before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had in 2006, convicted and sentenced Sidhu to three years imprisonment. Sidhu then filed an appeal before the apex court challenging this order.